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13 Appalachian Towns Where a Couple Can Live on Nothing But Social Security

The Appalachian region stretches from New York down to Georgia.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated June 10, 2026

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Relocating to a lower cost-of-living area, particularly one with tax-friendly incentives for retirees, is one of the key ways to set yourself up for a stress-free retirement. Finding an area where you can live and thrive on nothing but Social Security checks is even better. In 2026, the average monthly Social Security payment is $2,071 for individuals.

If you're dreaming of retiring to the mountains (or at least near the mountains), check out these 13 Appalachian towns where retired couples can live well on just their Social Security checks.

Editor's note: All median home prices come from Zillow, and rental averages come from Apartments.com, unless otherwise noted.

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Roanoke, Virginia

Average home price: $279,668
Average rent price: $1,118

Located in southwest Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke is a lively city with a rich history. It's surrounded by trails and stunning views, and there's no shortage of things to do (and eat) downtown.

Though it's known as a delightful mix of metro and mountain town, home prices in Roanoke have remained well below the national average, which is currently just above $368,000.

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Ripley, West Virginia

Average home price: $203,595
Average rent price: $785 (Zillow)

Ripley is in the Mid-Ohio Valley region, not far from Ohio's state line. It's a very small town with about 3,000 residents and plenty of homegrown West Virginia charm.

Retirees can enjoy plenty of mountain town tranquility through most of the year, except for the 4th of July, when Ripley is home to "America's largest small-town Independence Day celebration."

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Average home price: $322,291
Average rent price: $1,268

Chattanooga is a vibrant and affordable city situated alongside the Tennessee River and the Appalachians. Along with the natural beauty and the many ways to enjoy it, Chattanooga also has a packed downtown with plenty of free events to enjoy throughout the year.

Marietta, Ohio

Average home price: $187,769
Average rental price: $1,400

Nestled along the Ohio River in the state's southeast, Marietta is a charming small town with a lively downtown, easy access to all sorts of natural wonders (beyond the river), and a low cost of living.

The average home price is significantly less than the national average, and Ohio does not tax Social Security benefits. Rentals are scarce since it's such a small town (less than 15,000 residents), making the average a bit higher than you may want, but still within budget.

Ashland, Kentucky

Average home price: $122,841
Average rental price: $850 (Zillow)

Ashland is a charming mountain town close to the borders of both Ohio and West Virginia. The town boasts a stunning Riverfront and a quaint downtown area packed with great dining options and art installations. Home prices are well below the national average, and, for retirees looking to buy, Kentucky has low property taxes as well.

Martinsburg, West Virginia

Average home price: $311,305
Average rental price: $1,266

Though housing prices are a bit higher in Martinsburg than in other areas in West Virginia, part of that cost is convenience. Located in the state's eastern panhandle, Martinsburg offers easy access to multiple highways, commuter rail, and Amtrak for when you're on the go, and a lively downtown and proximity to the Appalachian Trail and other natural wonders when you want to stay local.

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Jonesborough, Tennessee

jonesborough with beautiful homes during day

Average home price: $335,055

Average rental price: $965

Jonesborough, the first town in Tennessee, has a rich history, so much so that it is home to the annual International Storytelling Festival, where you can hear stories about Appalachia and far beyond. For retirees, the tax situation is a bonus perk as there's no income tax and, therefore, no taxes on Social Security or retirement accounts in the state.

Floyd, Virginia

Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia

Average home price: $309,189
Average rental price: $1,000 (Zillow)

Floyd is a small mountain town that sits on the Blue Ridge Plateau in southwest Virginia, so small that you may actually find it difficult to find a home to buy or rent. Still, it embodies the tight-knit Appalachian town vibe and is known for its lively music and arts scenes, and great food and drink from locals.

Ellijay, Georgia

Average home price: $414,452
Average rental price: $1,435

Ellijay is a bit more expensive than the other towns on this list; however, it's still doable for couples relying mostly on Social Security. The average rent price is a bit higher than expected for someone living on Social Security, but that's due to the limited rental options, since it's a very small town.

There's plenty to do for outdoorsy types in the area, from apple orchards to wineries to miles of hiking trails. There's no shortage of things to see and antique shops to browse, downtown either.

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Lansing, North Carolina

Average home price: $283,074

Average rental price: unknown

Lansing is another great small-town option in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's surrounded by natural beauty in the state's northwest corner and offers both tranquility and a charming downtown packed with shops and local eateries. Plus, Social Security is not taxed in North Carolina.

Corning, New York

Average home price: $235,000 (Redfin)

Average rental price: $1,487

Corning is known as America's "Crystal City" because of its long-time glassmaking history. In addition to the famed Corning Museum of Glass, the city has a delightful town square packed with shops, restaurants, studios, and more.

It's so off the radar that Zillow didn't have average home price data, but Redfin puts the current median around $235k. For Apartments.com, the average rent (yet again) seems high due to the scarce options in a town with around 10,000 residents.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania state capital at Harrisburg

Average home price: $265,646
Average rental price: $1,216

There is some debate about whether Harrisburg, which sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River, is technically considered Appalachia. However, while it's not as tranquil as many of the other small towns on this list, Pennsylvania's capital boasts plenty of natural and architectural beauty, and home prices remain well below the national average.

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Decatur, Alabama

Average home price: $224,210
Average rental price: $1,400 (Zillow)

Decatur is in northern Alabama along the banks of the Tennessee River. From hiking to kayaking to birding and beyond, there is plenty to do for outdoorsy types, and Decatur has a charming downtown as well. Alabama also doesn't tax Social Security, and state property taxes are low.

Bottom line

From New York State all the way down to Georgia, there are many charming and affordable cities to live in throughout the Appalachian region.

Relocating to a city and state with a lower cost of living and a good tax outlook for those on Social Security is an excellent way to free up your retirement budget. And though these could all technically be called mountain towns, many have their own thriving cultures and plenty of other draws for retirees.

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Author Details

Josh Koebert

Josh Koebert has spent more than 16 years digging into the data behind how Americans earn, save, and retire. As a Senior Data Journalist at FinanceBuzz, his work covers both ends of that challenge: the job market and real estate pressures that shape how much people can save, and the Social Security policies, 401(k) strategies, and retirement income gaps that determine what they'll actually have when they get there.